Dream State: Eight Generations of Swamp Lawyers, Conquistadors, Confederate Daughters, Banana Republicans, and Other Florida Wildli

The personal anecdotes and hilarious observations make this a fun read all the way through. If you dislike leftist political humor by people such as Michael Moore, Jon Steward, etc... this book might not appeal to you. If all history books were this funny our kids would not hate social studies classes as much as they do!

Great book, esecially if you want to learn about the real Florida. I was born and raised here, several generations, and learned many things I never knew, was enlightened about many things I knew a little about, and recieved answers to things I had wondered about for years. I was also disabused of a few misconceptions. It is a very witty and entertaining book. I was sorry when it ended. She gives no slack to anyone, even her relatives, perhaps especially her relatives. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Florida. Carl Hiassen Fans should enjoy it, as a non-fiction tie-in.

This book is simply a must read -- historical and very humourous to boot -- for anyone interested in Florida history from pre-White-People to White-People invading and essentially exterminating the Native Americans to Election 2000 and Election 2002. Diane is an excellent writer, having regularly -- over the years -- written for the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times and the Florida Flambeau (the now semi-defunct independent newspaper based on the FSU campus, but served the community as a whole). And a commentator on National Public Radio. Her writing style, content and humour have always been superb. I don't know how better to put it: Read this book!!!!!!! You'll be glad you did! Martin Dyckman (now retired from the St. Petersburg Times), Rick Flagg, Michael Moline, Michael McClelland and many other journalists worked at the "Flam" at one time or another.

This is a superb book, fusing political and personal history, official culture and its trashy underside to evoke a state that always manages to be more bizarre and more banal than you thought it was. Among much else, this is the best thing I've read about the great election scandal, and it's right on the nail about alligators, oranges and Miami Vice too. A deeply necessary book for anyone venturing into Florida, and a consolation for those who can't, who may understand it just as fully if they stay at home and read this voluptuously intelligent book.

People have been ordained for writing things less divine than this book -- I know, I'm one of them. This visionary, confessional lightning-bolt of a travelogue/history/expose of Florida is enough to make a pan-handler of anyone. I used to be a real bishop before I went freelance, and it's journalism like this that made it worthwhile. I love this book more than I love the anhinguas at Wakullah Springs. Alligator in the water; people back in the boat. Someone should write a book like this about every state in the union -- funny, wry, percipient, luminous, rueful -- and then bomb them all, slowly, and with love. Meanwhile, enjoy the best book about Florida ever written, and squeeze my oranges.